Veteran's civilian funeral

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 18:50:56 -0400

My great-uncle, a WWII Vet who served in the Pacific, just passed away. He's having a civilian funeral. I'm current ARNG, and can't find in the regs whether or not my ASU's are acceptable attire. Can anyone help me here?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2015 6:56 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 18:56:25 -0400

Yes, you are always authorized to wear your dress uniform to a formal ceremony, such as a funeral for a WWII vet.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2015 6:57 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 18:57:34 -0400

670-1...23-2

(4) When attending social functions or informal gatherings of a military character. All current and former Soldiers will conform to the wear and appearance standards in this regulation while wearing the uniform under the provisions of this chapter.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2015 7:01 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 19:01:28 -0400

You can always wear your dress uniform to formal civilian functions.

There is a table somewhere even saying what uniform to wear when (ie what's equivalent to business casual, what's black tie, etc). That said, since you can always go up, it shouldn't be an issue.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2015 9:51 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 21:51:38 -0400

As long as you wear it properly, Sir, there's not going to be an issue. Anyone who would call you out for wearing ASUs to a funeral is someone who's looking for something to be offended about. Wear them with pride.

My stepfather died, and because he was a retired Army SFC, my mother, knowing I was coming to the funeral, asked me to be a pall bearer, and asked me to come in uniform. I did.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2015 9:57 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 21:57:12 -0400

I'm very sorry for your loss. You are certainly allowed to wear your ASU's to the funeral, especially for someone as deserving as a WWII Vet!

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made Sep 16 at 2015 2:45 AM

SrA Matthew Knight — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 02:45:30 -0400

I wore my service uniform to my veteran grand father's funeral last month. It is perfectly acceptable and your uncle would probably have been proud to see you in it. I will throw a piece of personal advice out there though. Do some internet searching on proper customs and courtesies during funerals while you are in uniform. There are specific times where you are expected to render salute and such. At my grandpa's myself and two others in uniform sort of winged it off of what the honor guard told us but it's better to try do some digging to show proper respects.